Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Clarkspoon / Spoon Squid

One of the most reliable lures in any type of fishing is the spoon. The wobble and spinning action they create strongly resembles a fleeing bait fish and provokes game fish into striking. Two of the most proven spoons for predatory game fish in Floridas coastal waters are the Clarkspoon and the Spoon Squid sold through Sea Striker of Morehead City, N.C. (www.seastriker.com/). The Clarkspoon has a tight wobble and spin that resembles a healthy bait trying to flee. It comes in chrome-plated and 24K gold-plated in the #00, #0, and #1 sizes and chrome only in the larger sizes. The Spoon Squid has a loose wobble and spin which resembles an injured bait fish and is available in chrome only. Both work well for bluefish and spanish mackerel in the #00, #0, and #1 sizes and for small kingfish, larger bluefish, and stripers in the #2, #3, #4, and #5 sizes. The smaller sizes are perfect for casting to bluefish and spanish mackerel from piers and bridges. Use 20lb - 40lb mono leader, fluorocarbon in clear water, to connect the spoon to a 1/2oz to 1 1/2oz trolling weight. Use a #2 or #3 ball-bearing swivel between the weight and leader to prevent line twist and connect them using an improved clinch knot. All sizes work well when trolled. Use a trolling weight, planer, or downrigger to get the spoon to the depth the bait fish are swimming. You can also troll one on the surface. In either case use a ball-bearing swivel between the leader and main line to prevent line twist. Which ever you choose, the Clarkspoon or the Spoon Squid, these are two must have lures for every saltwater fisherman's tackle box.